SDSU Alumna Makes Her Mark in the Entertainment Industry
Ashley Contreras attending the 2022 MTV VMA's for the first time!
Q & A with May 2021 Graduate, Ashley Contreras
While at San Diego State University, Ashley Contreras took advantage of all the opportunities available which allowed her to grow both personally and professionally. The skills and confidence she gained while holding leadership positions set her up for success as she thrives in her Digital Sales Associate role at Paramount. Contreras reflects on her college experience and how SDSU prepared her for her career.
Name: Ashley Contreras
Major and minor: Business Marketing w/ minor in Management
Graduation Year: May 2021
Pronouns: she/her
Campus Affiliations/Organizations: Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Fowler College of Business Council, Aztec Mentor Program, AMA, HBSA, and Ad Club
Q: Can you describe a little bit about yourself and how/when you decided to attend SDSU?
From the moment I stepped foot on campus during the Spring 2017 Explore SDSU event, I knew I wanted to be an Aztec! I fell in love with the campus atmosphere, the opportunities to get involved, and the energy of the student body. Most importantly, I was able to envision myself growing, personally and professionally, at SDSU for the next 4 years.
A little bit about me! My name is Ashley Contreras and I’m a proud SDSU alumna. I’m from San Jose, California but am currently living in New York City where I’m working for my dream company, Paramount! In May 2021, I graduated from SDSU with a BS in Marketing and a minor in Management and became the first in my family with a college degree. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to pursue higher education and soon discovered that marketing/sales piqued my interest most. The dreamer in me always wanted to work in the film/entertainment industry but I had zero connections and never knew how I could get there.
Today, I’ve achieved my goal of breaking into the industry, which some say is the hardest part, but the work never stops. As a Mexican-American woman, one of my lifetime goals is to work my way up the ranks to help amplify Latinx voices and increase diversity in media, behind and in front of the camera.
Contreras at Alpha Kappa Psi's Fall 2019 banquet with the Spring 2020 Executive Board.
Q: What advice do you have for SDSU students wanting to succeed after graduation from SDSU?
As I was applying to summer internships in my junior year, a dear mentor of mine reminded me that my career choices were not permanent. She reminded me that if I accepted an internship or job in a field that no longer interested me in the long run, I could always PIVOT. This was eye-opening for me as a 20-year-old to hear. In college, it’s easy to feel like every decision you make is permanent but the truth that not enough people share is that you’re not supposed to know exactly what you want to do at 19 or 20!
My advice is to follow the path that you think is best for you. Follow your passions, and your interests, and if it doesn’t work out, just pivot! Discovering what you don’t enjoy doing is just as valuable as knowing what you’re passionate about.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your career search and why you chose your current company.
After the COVID-19 pandemic put the world on pause, I took several months to reflect on my passions and the career I truly wanted to pursue. This led me back to my first love, entertainment.
While in-person events were indefinitely canceled, I shifted all my focus toward building a strong presence on LinkedIn. I made sure to stay up to date on all current events in the entertainment industry by following all of the social media accounts of some of the biggest companies, as well as registering for virtual info sessions. It wasn’t long until my feeds were flooded with everything entertainment-related, and fellow students like me hoping to land their dream job.
This consistency and involvement eventually led me to come across a Paramount (formerly known as ViacomCBS) Ad Sales Info session that someone had “liked” on LinkedIn. I attended the session, applied to their Sales Associate position, made it through the 4 rounds of interviews, loved the people I interviewed with, and received my job offer on May 11, 2021.
The decision to work for Paramount was nearly a no-brainer to me as it was one of my dream entertainment companies to work for! I genuinely enjoyed each interviewer I had the pleasure of speaking with, and could instantly tell that the company culture was one I could thrive in. The people I’d be working with were what mattered most to me.
As the EVP of the CBC, Contreras ideated and executed the first ever Fowler CBC Mixer in Fall 2019.
Q: Describe your experience with your current job and your responsibilities.
I’ve now been working for Paramount as a Digital Sales Associate in their Ad Sales department for a little over a year, and the experience has been absolutely surreal. I get to work with some of the best sales teams, managers, and coworkers every day!
As a Digital Sales Associate, I work with both sales teams and their advertisers to see through the life cycles of campaigns that run on Paramount’s digital platforms. I serve as the main point of contact for campaign revisions and order entry, as well as work with our internal Ad Operations team to ensure client delivery.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your involvement with student organizations at SDSU and how that shaped your journey both at SDSU and after.
Throughout my time at SDSU I was involved in various student organizations such as Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, the Fowler College of Business Council, Aztec Mentor Program, AMA, HBSA, and Ad Club!
I consider joining AKPsi my freshman year as the best stepping stone I could’ve taken for my personal and professional growth. It not only gave me a community on campus, but it built my confidence and encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. Having that foundation led me to even more exciting campus involvements and opportunities such as serving as the VP of Communications and EVP of the Fowler College of Business Council. The personal growth and experiences I gained through holding on-campus leadership roles instilled in me the confidence I needed to professionally carry myself in future interviews and networking conversations.
Personal growth doesn’t happen overnight but at SDSU there are so many student organizations where you can surround yourself with those who push you to work towards becoming the best version of yourself.
Contreras at the 2022 Paramount Upfront in NYC.
Q: What advice do you have for current SDSU students to make the most out of their time at SDSU?
Say YES to everything! Stay hungry and take advantage of any and all opportunities that come your way, because at the end of it all you have nothing to lose. As a matter of fact, you have so much to potentially gain (job experience, a new friend, a mentor) just by staying open-minded and saying “yes.”
Mentorship is invaluable! It’s never too late to seek mentors who can help you navigate college and your post-grad career. I wouldn’t be where I am today had I not connected with mentors through the Aztec Mentorship Program, who understood my passions and goals.
Q: When you’re not working how do you like to spend your free time? Please share any hobbies or interests that you may have.
August 4th marked my one year since moving to New York City from California! I still have so much left to discover but in my free time (especially in the fall) I LOVE going on walks to Central Park, grabbing an iced coffee along the way, and people-watching! There’s always something to witness or music to listen to. Another hobby of mine that I’ve taken up post-grad has been hot yoga. I love going to Corepower Yoga throughout the week to clear my mind and move my body!
